The Art of Living Well: It Doesn’t Have to be Expensive

I frigging love “The Random Show” with Tim Ferriss and Kevin Rose. It’s really enjoyable listening to two very accomplished individuals who are also clearly very close friends sitting down and talking about life & learnings. 

Both are incredible investors and builders in tech and media, with incredible track records. But more importantly they have very good eyes on consumer & lifestyle trends. You can almost call them “tastemakers” at the forefront of culture. 

They really excel when it comes to talking about the products, movies/shows/books and even health treatments and supplements they are taking. Small purchases that give an excess of enjoyment compared to their costs. And most of these are very affordable & accessible to everyone. This is despite the fact that both can choose to go super luxury as they have the resources and wealth to do so. 

It goes to show you what an amazing age we live in, where everyday products are small enjoyable luxuries. This could be unique coffee brands to bone broth to soap or a really nice Hinoki tree scented oil. 

You can live a rich life without breaking the bank. In fact this is preferable so you can spend that money on family and great experience and also building up assets. It’s wonderful if you love and can afford the luxury cars, clothes, watches and houses/estates/mansions all around the world. This seems to be more of the American, Middle Eastern & Chinese way of wealth. 

Which as a note this seems pretty stupid & suicidal in a world of growing wealth inequality, rising crime, decreasing state capacity (Ie. police) and many more poor and angry young men. 

Hence there is a lot to proclaim about the benefits of “stealth wealth” which is how most of the rich in old Europe, Taiwan and Japan live. You literally cannot tell if they have any money. They are quiet, hidden and pretty much anonymous. 

Which means they can live a normal life without harassment. They can go to the mall, eat at any restaurant and travel without an entourage or security. All of which sounds pretty awesome when you compare this to the weirdo and paparazzi filled lives of the well known and mega rich like Bezos, Gates, Kardashians or movie stars. 

You can live a great life as long as you know what matters to you. Time, health, family and friends as well as the small luxuries you care about. Things like what books, travel and good food are to me. Simple pleasures that let you live well and increase your quality of life. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to have these.